Stir-fried River Shrimp with Shaoxing Wine and Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Small river shrimp quickly stir-fried with garlic and Shaoxing wine for a light, fragrant seafood dish popular in Shanghai. This chinese-inspired seafood ready in about 15 minutes pairs fresh river shrimp, peeled and deveined, garlic cloves, minced, Shaoxing wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 12 oz fresh river shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add the shrimp to the wok and stir-fry rapidly for 2 minutes until they start turning pink.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine and 1 tbsp light soy sauce, tossing to coat the shrimp evenly.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp white pepper and continue stir-frying for another minute until the shrimp are fully cooked and the sauce slightly reduced.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp sliced green onions, and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-fried River Shrimp with Shaoxing Wine and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Stir-fried River Shrimp with Shaoxing Wine and Garlic?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep garlic cloves, minced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-fried River Shrimp with Shaoxing Wine and Garlic?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Stir-fried River Shrimp with Shaoxing Wine and Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Stir-fried River Shrimp with Shaoxing Wine and Garlic?

Chinese seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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